Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Cocker Spaniel Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
- Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
- Adopting the English Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier
- The Intelligence of the English Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Jack Russell Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Jack Russell Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Cocker Spaniel and for the Jack Russell Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier
English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are similar in size. The English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Jack Russell Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | English Cocker Spaniel | Jack Russell Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s | 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Weight | 26 to 34 pounds | 13 to 17 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1500 | $1100 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $1800 | $700 – $1250 |
| Temperament Score | 93.3 percent | 85.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 18 | 46 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Cocker Spaniel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Jack Russell Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a English Cocker Spaniel is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the English Cocker Spaniel!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier
The English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier.
English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
On the other hand, Jack Russell Terriers weigh 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the English Cocker Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.
Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
The average price of the English Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1500. The price of the English Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of a English Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $650 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 90 English Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Jack Russell Terrier puppy is $1100. The price of the Jack Russell Terrier typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of a Jack Russell Terrier can be as low as $200 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 410 Jack Russell Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.
| English Cocker Spaniel | Jack Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1500 | $1100 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $1800 | $700 to $1250 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Cocker Spaniel puppy or the Jack Russell Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the English Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Cocker Spaniels and many Jack Russell Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male English Cocker Spaniel named Rascal that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Cocker Spaniels like Rascal on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Cocker Spaniels, Jack Russell Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Mr. Magoo is a Male Jack Russell Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Jack Russell Terriers like Mr. Magoo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Andres, an adorable Male Jack Russell Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Cocker Spaniels and Jack Russell Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
| English Cocker Spaniel | Jack Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 18 out of 130 dog breeds | 46 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the English Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that English Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Jack Russell Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Jack Russell Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The English Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Jack Russell Terrier.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Jack Russell Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.
Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Jack Russell Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Jack Russell Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Cocker Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Cocker Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Jack Russell Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Jack Russell Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Jack Russell Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Cocker Spaniel and how the Jack Russell Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the Jack Russell Terrier to other breeds:
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Cocker Spaniel versus Vizsla English Cocker Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog English Cocker Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff English Cocker Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel versus Samoyed English Cocker Spaniel versus Pomchi English Cocker Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound English Cocker Spaniel versus Vizsla English Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow English Cocker Spaniel versus Cockalier
Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Jack Russell Terrier versus Akita Chow Jack Russell Terrier versus Maltese Jack Russell Terrier versus Papipoo Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier Jack Russell Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Jack Russell Terrier versus German Pinscher Jack Russell Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Jack Russell Terrier versus Schipperke Jack Russell Terrier versus Sheepadoodle Jack Russell Terrier versus Ibizan Hound
Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.